Photo by Keyli Chisesi, Go Big Blue Country
The Kentucky Wildcats received a top-four national seed and as a result, they will host all the way until the Final Four if they advance throughout the tournament.
For Kentucky to get to that point they have to win four straight matches and that streak started with the East Tennessee State Buccaneers tonight. ETSU battled but Kentucky was able to come away with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-21) sweep to advance to Saturday’s second round.
Offensively, freshman Avery Skinner and sophomore Leah Edmond led the attack for Kentucky. Skinner led the Wildcats with 14 kills on 27 swings, good enough for a .407 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, Edmond registered 11 terminations on 26 swings.
The Wildcats and Bucs started off trading points during the first set but Kentucky scored seven consecutive points to turn a 5-5 tie into a 12-5 advantage. The run was too much for ETSU to overcome, as the Wildcats coasted to 25-19 opening set victory. Edmond was the strength during the first set, recorded 7 of her 11 kills in the first frame.
The second set was much like the first, as both teams traded points early on. The Wildcats eventually used a 4-0 run to seize control at 10-5. The lead remained around five for most of the set until ETSU climbed within one at 18-17. Kentucky answered by closing the set on a 7-3 run to take a 2-0 lead. Skinner led the way with 4 kills in the second set and senior Kaz Brown recorded 3 of her 6 kills.
Setting up the offensive attack for Kentucky was Madison Lilley, the SEC Setter of the Year. For the match, Kentucky totaled 43 kills and 39 of those came via an assist from Lilley. Additionally, the freshman was a force at the net, blocking four shots.
In addition to the Edmond, Lilley, and Skinner, Kentucky got a boost from seniors Kaz Brown and Emily Franklin. Brown posted a match-high 6 kills to go along with 3 blocks while Franklin totaled a match-high 6 rejections at the net and five kills. Also, senior Darian Mack delivered 6 kills on 13 attacks.
During the third set, ETSU attempted to rally and force a fourth set. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 10-5 advantage but Kentucky came storming back to pull out a 25-21 victory to complete the opening round sweep.
Defensively, senior Ashley Dusek, who was named SEC Libero of the Year for the third consecutive season, led the Wildcats with 12 digs. Freshman Gabby Curry chipped in with four and junior Merideth Jewell added three scoops.
The win moves Kentucky into tomorrow’s second round, where they will face Western Kentucky, who swept Notre Dame in Friday’s opening round. The Wildcats and Hilltoppers will meet for the second time this season after battling during a preseason exhibition in mid-August. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum with coverage available on the SEC Network Plus.
